Fan Zone 11/04/2025
- TUST
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
FAN ZONE
TUST's Chair and TUFC board member, Nick Brodrick's column in this week's Herald Express - updated for the latest news.
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WHAT WAS THE GENERAL OPINION AFTER UNITED’S SECOND HOME DEFEAT?
TOP OF NATIONAL SOUTH CONTINUES TO EXCITE
ASA CREATING A NEW HALL OF FAME AT TIVVY
On a pleasantly warm first Saturday in April Torquay United did not follow the script the majority of fans had written in their heads as they made their way to Plainmoor.
Opponents mid table Chesham United, consolidating their position in their first season in National South, came with spoiling tactics - some call these the ‘dark arts’ - and with a lenient referee, only booking the visiting keeper for time wasting in the 97th minute, the Generals were allowed to march through United.
Was this a crushing defeat putting a dent in United’s title hopes? If your glass is half full then your optimism and positivity remain intact but if your glass is half empty then, at best, it’s the play-offs.
However, even with only twelve points to play for the title is still there for any one side prepared to stay calm and claim it.
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Could that be United? Truro, now the new leaders thanks to a 2-1 win at previous leaders Worthing but only on goal difference, are there to be shot at - and there’s no better time than Good Friday when the Yellow Army descends on Cornwall.
Before that United have another chance as Slough Town are Plainmoor’s Saturday visitors. In the away game Slough snatched a late, late equaliser so regardless of their table position (no promotion or relegation issues), United are warned. And if they copy Chesham’s game plan then United are going to have to be a lot smarter.
“It’s not over, but it’s disappointing”, was Paul Wotton’s assessment on BBC Radio Devon post match but conceded “100% it’s three points dropped”.
He now has a bigger squad and four days set aside for training this week.
The National South title race is still not for the faint hearted.
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So, who plays who in Saturday’s key fixtures? Truro (first) are at Hornchurch (twelfth), Worthing (second) are home to Chippenham (fifteenth), Dorking Wanderers (third) play at Bath City (sixteenth) and Eastbourne Borough (fourth) travel to St Albans City (twenty first).
More twists and turns surely.
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Non-League Crowd Watch: FA Trophy Semi-Finals Aldershot v Woking 7.058, Rochdale v Spennymoor Town 5,527. League Fixtures: Hartlepool 4,156, Hereford 4,017, Sutton United 3,769, Torquay United 3,701.
The Top Ten Non-League Averages (up to end of March): Southend 7,042, Oldham 5,990, York, 5,956, Scunthorpe 4,032, Torquay 3,775, Hartlepool 3,698, Yeovil 3,145, Macclesfield 3,076, Bury FC 3,033.
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With five fixtures left which teams look as if they will be playing National South football next season? Could Dartford return from the Isthmian Premier joined by Southern Premier South Merthyr Town?
And dropping out of the National League Ebbsfleet with possibly Maidenhead although Dagenham & Redbridge and Woking are not out of danger.
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Since he took over as caretaker manager at Tiverton Town ex-Gull favourite Asa Hall has been trying to get them out of relegation trouble in Southern League Premier South. Up to early last week he had eight points from a possible fifteen so it was probably no surprise that the club’s directors gave him the job on a permanent basis.
Hall celebrated not only with a 2-1 win over Bracknell Town but he scored the winner with a trademark header.
Looks like Asa is learning his managerial apprenticeship quickly.
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Following their Plainmoor 4-0 league win on Mothering Sunday United’s Women’s side were frustrated in their title bid when last Sunday’s fixture with Pucklechurch Sports Ladies was called off as the visitors were unable to field a team.
The league have said the match will have to be played at a later date but maybe the rules should say the points are forfeited?
Top Women scorers in Step 5 (Torquay’s current level): Shannon Francis Frampton Rangers 18, Lucy Solloway Torquay United 17, Sam Drewery Marine Academy Plymouth 16 while Torquay’s Ellie Bishop on 11 figures in the top ten scorers.
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The saga of the sale of Reading took another twist last week as the EFL extended the deadline for the current owner Day Yongge to sell up to April 22nd.
We all know how tight is the top of the National South table but there are other equally close teams in other divisions.
Take the Championship where two automatically are promoted to the Premier League: Leeds lead on 85 points, next are Burnley also on 85 followed on 83 by Sheffield United - all with five matches left.
While in League 2 Bradford City and Port Vale each have 73 only separated by goal difference with Walsall in third on 72 points.
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Tony Bedeau’s funeral took place in London today (Friday) with club representatives present paying their respects.
Next up at Plainmoor are Slough - your support is vital.
COYY!
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